Free commentary is giving fans a reason to head back to theaters for Josh Brolin’s survival thriller [Exclusive]
A desperate fight underwater
Abrams plays Jay Gardiner, a college student who dives off the California coast to recover his late father’s remains. The search turns into a fight for survival when a sperm whale swallows him.
Brolin plays Jay’s father, Mitt, a local diving legend. Jay has roughly an hour of air left and must draw on what his father taught him to find a way out.
Commentary arrives October 23
The free English-language commentary will be available through TheaterEars’ Director’s Experience starting October 23. Moviegoers can hear it on headphones during participating showtimes in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Duffield, who directed, co-wrote and produced the film, joins source novelist and co-writer Kraus and editor Scalia on the track.
From novel to screen
The filmmakers discuss adapting Kraus’ largely internal novel for the screen and consulting whale anatomist Dr. Joy Reidenberg to ground the story in science. Duffield also describes the cramped stomach sets built with Wētā Workshop. They were filmed in story order, while Scalia explains how the editing keeps Jay’s dwindling air supply present throughout the action. Scalia’s editing Oscars include JFK and Black Hawk Down.
Key points
- Whalefall stars Austin Abrams as Jay Gardiner and Josh Brolin as his father, Mitt.
- A free synchronized TheaterEars commentary begins October 23.
- Brian Duffield, Daniel Kraus and Pietro Scalia take part in the English-language track.
- The commentary is offered at participating showtimes in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.